Διατροφικές επιλογές και στοιχεία οικονομίας στις Μυκήνες της υστεροελλαδικής περιόδου
Part of : Αρχαιολογικά ανάλεκτα εξ Αθηνών ; Vol.40-41, 2007, pages 115-146
Issue:
Pages:
115-146
Parallel Title:
Nutritional choices and elements of the economy of late helladic mycenae
Section Title:
Σύμμεικτα
Author:
Abstract:
The present archaeozoological study was based on material generously provided by Professor Sp. Iakovidis, after excavations conducted by himself and G. Mylonas in the NW quarter of Mycenae (fig. 1). The buildings of the NW quarter were erected after the Lion Gate, i.e. after 1250 BC, and remained inhabited well into the Late Helladic Period (LH IIIB2).Specimens were collected from the following species: sheep, goat, wild and domesticated pig, ox, deer, horse, dog and mol- lusks (Table 1). Of the 194 identified specimens of bones and teeth dated between 1230 and 1220 BC, 66.49% come from animals of the Caprinae family (with sheep specimens outnumbering goat specimens by approximately two to one), 13.40% of fragments come from domestic pigs, 5.67% from cattle, 9.27% from horses, 4.12% from deer, and 1.03% from wild swine. Of the archaeozoological material dating to the 12th-l 1th century, comprising 751 identified specimens, 62.45% come from animals of the Caprinae family (with sheep specimens outnumbering those from goats by about seven or eight to one), 19.57% from domestic pigs, 11.18% from cattle, 0.93% from horses, 0.13% from dogs, 4.92% from deer and 0.79% from hares. We may cautiously estimate that the remaining bone specimens come from at least (Minimum Number of Individuals) 2 and 5 sheep, with females outnumbering males by a ratio of 4:1, 1 and 1 goats, 1 and 2 cattle,and 3 and 7 swines, in the decade 1230- 1220 and the broader period of the 12th- 11th century, respectively. From the evaluation of age at death based on mandibular tooth wear (Table 3) and on exterior structure, i.e. the completion of lengthwise bone growth with the calcification of cartilage (Table 4), we find that there were few young animals.Furthermore, 15 specimens/fragments of valves have been found from the species Spondylus gaederopus, Area noae and Myti- lus galloprovencialis. To these, we should add one gastropod of the species Conus medi- teiraneus (Tables 1 and 11).In spite of their being discovered in common with food remains, there is no indication that the horse and dog bones come from animals that were used as food (Tables 1-2). As far as we know today, no location has been excavated in Holocene Greece where horse eating was practiced; on the other hand, it was quite common to bury animals with the remains of wealthy individuals to symbolize the social status of the deceased. At the same time, in the southern part of the Greek peninsula, beginning from the Mycenaean sites, there seems to have been a gradual shift in man’s relationship with dogs. In this region we find dogs being occasionally sacrificed for religious reasons or deposited as grave goods.The uniformity observed in the Equidae population in the Late Bronze Age Peloponnese seems to have limited significance, due to the small sample size. Investigations are being conducted into the reduction in size of the red deer, a fact which may be due to the increase in settlements and the decrease in the animal’s habitats.The processed bones. Three divided fragments of canines belonging to a male boar were found, bearing pairs of holes to sew them onto leather, as external helmet covering, along with two punches.In conclusion, based on the number of animals consumed in this quarter, we find that the animal proteins in the diet of the local residents were derived equally from large groups of meat-producing domestic animals and from game (deer). Compared tocontemporary sites excavated in the Pelo- ponnese, it seems to coincide precisely with a reduction in the sources of meat production. In the same region, in earlier periods, when no urban development was found, animals such as dogs, foxes, badgers, and tortoises were occasionally eaten.The provision of animal proteins from the small number of animal species found may indicate two things. Firstly, an improvement in animal husbandry conditions, allowing producers to manage larger herds, and secondly, the appearance of a central authority for the control and distribution of commodities.This may have been the period when the guidelines of the Greek diet were established.
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
Μυκήνες
Notes:
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